Horse Racing News is the source of thoroughbred racing information with horse racing odds, betting tips, racing picks, race results, and handicapping. Latest news and articles on top horse racing contenders, jockeys, trainers, three-year-olds, race tracks, and major stakes races such as the Triple Crown races: the Kentucky Derby, Preakness and Belmont Stakes as well as the Breeders' Cup races.Breeders’ Cup Results: Raven’s Pass Wins The 2008 Breeders’ Cup Classic at Santa Anita Park; Curlin A Disappointing Fourth
Posted on Saturday, October 25th, 2008
Reigning Horse of the Year Curlin failed to win the $5-million Breeders’ Cup Classic for a second straight year by finishing fourth to Raven’s Pass at Santa Anita Park this Saturday, Breeders’ Cup Day October 25.
After making a strong move under jockey Robby Albarado to gain the lead as the field turned for home, it looked as if Curlin, running on a synthetic surface for the first time in his career, may be on his way to becoming the first repeat Breeders’ Cup Classic winner since Tiznow (2000-01).
As things progressed through the stretch, Curlin, North America’s all-time leading money winner with earnings over $10 million, began to tire and Raven’s Pass, one of the European invaders whose best work throughout his career came on the turf in England, stole the show from Curlin.
See the Breeders’ Cup results & payouts and the Breeders’ Cup winners.
“He ran well. Maybe he’s not a synthetic surface specialist. I don’t know,” Curlin’s jockey Robby Albarado said. “He was paddling around. These horses (Raven’s Pass and Henrythenavigator) are great turf horses and it seemed like the synthetics played like a turf course.”
Curlin’s trainer Steve Asmussen blamed the surface for Curlin’s performance, “It absolutely was the Pro-Ride surface (that beat him). He ran his heart out and gave it all he had,” he said.
“I was very confident that we’d be in the top three,” said John Gosden, the trainer for Raven’s Pass. “He’s been improving over the fall. He’s been training better and better. Mentally, he’s more mature. Sometimes things just go right.”
Jockey Frankie Dettori, who captured the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf with Donativium, again found himself in the winner’s circle as he guided Raven’s Pass, who covered 1 1/4 miles in 1:59.27 and paid $29, $15.80 and $8.
“Brilliant. A dream come true; a dream come true,” jockey Frankie Dettori said.
Henrythenavigator, edged by Raven’s Pass in the Queen Elizabeth II Stakes on September 27, again had to settle for second best returning $22 and $11.20.
“I had a perfect trip,” said jockey John Velazquez, who rode Henrythenavigator. “Because of the distance – his first try this long – they wanted me to wait until the three-eighths (pole) before I moved. When I did, he went. I wish I could have made that move earlier. I think it might have made a difference. He stayed today. There’s no doubt about that. He ran an excellent race.”
Jockey Mike Smith, who won two Breeders’ Cup races Friday, rode third place finisher Tiago who showed for $7.
It was a disappointing showing for Japanese star Casino Drive, who had been unbeaten in his first 3 career starts before finishing last in this 12-horse field. Earlier this year, Casino Drive was scratched from the Belmont Stakes due to a hoof injury.
Go Between was fifth in the 2008 Breeders’ Cup Classic at Santa Anita followed by Colonel John, Smooth Air, Champs Elysees, Duke of Marmalade, Fairbanks, Student Council and Casino Drive.
Horse racing tags: Casino Drive, Champs Elysees, Colonel John, Curlin, Duke of Marmalade, Fairbanks, Go Between, Henrythenavigator, Raven's Pass, Smooth Air, Student Council, Tiago
"Breeders’ Cup Results: Raven’s Pass Wins The 2008 Breeders’ Cup Classic at Santa Anita Park; Curlin A Disappointing Fourth" was posted on Saturday, October 25th, 2008 at 7:29 pm and is filed under Breeders' Cup, Horse Racing Industry, Horses, Race Tracks News, Results & Payouts, Santa Anita Track, Stakes Races, USA Horse Racing. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. Leave a response, or trackback from your own site.
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